AKT, a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a pivotal role in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, is overexpressed or hyperactivated in various cancers, including prostate, breast, and lung cancers. A series of novel nitrogen-containing aromatic heterocyclic compounds were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for AKT inhibition and anticancer activities. Among these, JL16 and JL18 emerged as potent inhibitors of AKT1 kinase, with IC